Search results

Hi All, I did my first Demaree today on a booming colony. Due to work commitments, I’m not going to be able to go into the hive between day 6 and day 9 after today. I’d ideally like to make some nucs assuming they draw out some queen cells in the top box. Will doing this on day 5 work, or...

Hi folks, I’ve got a thriving double brood colony that I’d like to demaree over the next few weeks. I can’t, however, find the unmarked queen (marking must have come off). Is there any reason why I can’t just shake all of the bees from the two brood boxes into a box of fresh foundation with 1...

Hi folks, I’d really value your advice on next steps for my hive. First full inspection this morning having chucked a super on them about 10 days ago when they were bubbling over their single brood. Current set up: single 11 frame national BB with single super (10 frames). inspection today...

Hi folks, Does 2:1 syrup go off? I’ve got a whole load from last autumn which I made up and didn’t use and was therefore thinking about diluting it down for some spring feeding. I’ve heard about it fermenting - the bottles haven’t blown up or anything. Thanks

Hi folks, I’ve been making some frames up for next year. Should I put the foundation in them now or wait until the spring to do so and keep the foundation safely elsewhere? Thanks

Hi folks, This is tempting fate and I realise that an awful lot can go wrong over the next few months. However, I’m optimistically pondering how to approach the Spring. I had two 6 frame nucs which I united because one was queenless. I therefore have a very strong, ‘double decker’ 12 frame...

Hi folks, Went into my lovely national colony (my first and only) today to check stores. No eggs, no sign of the queen and multiple charged queen cells. I expect I squished her by accident when adding in a 12th frame to give them space. Who knows. Anyway, I think she’s a gonner! At this time...

Hi everyone, I’ve got a nice colony in a national BB which I’ve build up from a nucleus. They’ve well and truly filled the BB now. I’ve been feeding them 1:1 syrup continually for the last few weeks to build them up which has worked well. I’m toying with the idea of giving them a super to...

Hi all, Just after a bit of beginner advice please. I’ve got a national hive of 11 frames which I received as a 6 frame swarm a while ago. Inspected this morning, currently 2 frames of stores, 3 frames of foundation being drawn (moved them towards the centre) and 6 frames of BIAS with some...

Hi all, Has anyone got any spare, in date Apivar strips? I need 3 and would much prefer to buy on a ‘per strip’ basis rather than having to buy 10 and wasting 7. Thanks

Hi folks, I currently have the wherewithal to make up a couple of hives (currently have one hive and soon to have a nuc in operation, too). I’m looking to make increase next spring and will therefore need a load more equipment and so I’m starting to make plans early. Who’s the best value...

Hi Folks, I’m looking to start with my first colony or two this year. Looking forward to learning what I can from everyone on here. Tom Dorset